How does this medication work? What will it do for me?

Indapamide belongs to the family of medications called diuretics ("water pills"). It is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat mild to moderate high blood pressure. This medication works by making the body lose excess water and salt.

This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

What form(s) does this medication come in?

Nu-Indapamide is no longer being manufactured for sale in Canada. For brands that may still be available, search under indapamide. This article is being kept available for reference purposes only. If you are using this medication, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for information about your treatment options.

How should I use this medication?

The recommended starting dose of indapamide is 1.25 mg once daily in the morning. After 4 to 8 weeks, your doctor may increase this to 2.5 mg once daily, depending on the effect of the medication. If a dose of 2.5 mg daily does not reduce your blood pressure sufficiently, your doctor will likely add another blood-pressure-lowering medication that is not a diuretic or may try a different diuretic. Do not take more than 2.5 mg daily.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are
taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

If you are taking medication for abnormal heart rhythms, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Allergy: Some people who are allergic to sulfonamides also experience allergic reactions to indapamide, as it has a sulfonamide component. Before you take indapamide, inform your doctor about any previous adverse reactions you have had to medications, especially sulfonamide (sulfa) antibiotics. Contact your doctor at once if you experience signs of an allergic reaction, such as skin rash, itching, difficulty breathing or swelling of the face and throat.

Diabetes: Although indapamide has very little effect on blood sugar control, people with diabetes may need additional insulin to keep blood sugar levels steady. High blood sugar and sugar in the urine may occur for people who have risk factors for developing diabetes.

If you have diabetes, or are at risk for developing diabetes, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Dizziness: Indapamide can cause severe dizziness, especially when rising from a sitting or lying position. This is more likely to occur when starting to take indapamide or increasing the dose being taken, particularly when other medications with similar side effects are being taken. If you are taking medications that can cause dizziness, rise slowly from sitting or lying down to reduce the possibility of severe dizziness or fainting.

Electrolytes: Changes in the blood levels of electrolytes such as potassium and magnesium become severe at doses above 2.5 mg per day. Do not take more than 2.5 mg per day.

Galactose intolerance: Indapamide medications are prepared with lactose. If you have lactose or galactose intolerance you should not take these medications.

Gout: Indapamide may increase the level of uric acid in the body. If you develop painful, warm and swollen joints contact your doctor as soon as possible. If you have a history of gout, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Kidney function: This medication is not helpful for people with severely reduced kidney function. If you have kidney disease or reduced kidney function, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed. If you experience a decrease in the amount of urine your body is producing, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Liver function: If you have liver disease or reduced liver function, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

If you have severely reduced liver function you should not take indapamide because this increases the risk for developing liver-caused brain disease.

Sun sensitivity: Like other sulfonamide medications, indapamide may cause increased sensitivity to the effects of exposure to the sun. If you experience a severe sunburn-like reaction while taking indapamide, contact your doctor immediately. Regardless, you should take measures to protect yourself from the sun, such as use of an appropriate sunscreen and keeping exposed skin covered, while taking indapamide.

Systemic lupus erythematosus: This medication can worsen or activate the symptoms of lupus. If you experience swollen and painful joints, fever, fatigue, or rash on the nose and cheeks while taking this medication, contact your doctor.

Pregnancy: In general, diuretics should not be used during pregnancy, due to the risk of reducing the growth of the fetus. This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: This medication passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking indapamide, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of indapamide for use by children have not been established.

Seniors: Seniors may be at an increased risk of developing side effects to indapamide. Lower doses may be appropriate when using this medication to treat high blood pressure for seniors.

What other drugs could interact with this medication?

There may be an interaction between indapamide and any of the following:

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

stop taking one of the medications,

change one of the medications to another,

change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or

leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.